EASA Certificate

EASA Drone Certificate as Wallet Pass

The EASA drone certificate is your license to fly in the EU. Whether you hold an A1/A3 or A2 certificate, convert it into a digital wallet pass and always carry your credentials on your phone.

LogoEU Remote Pilot Certificate
PILOT NAME
Max Mustermann
REGISTRATION NUMBER
DEU-RP-x7k9m2pw
CATEGORIES
A1/A3, A2
ISSUED BY
LBA (Germany)
EXPIRES
08.03.2031

Understanding EASA Drone Certificates

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) established a harmonized framework for drone operations across all EU member states through EU Regulation 2019/947. At the core of this framework are drone certificates — official qualifications that prove a remote pilot has the knowledge and competency to operate unmanned aircraft safely.

EASA drone certificates are organized into categories based on the level of risk involved in the operation. The Open Category covers low-risk operations and includes the A1/A3 and A2 certificates that most drone pilots need. The Specific Category covers medium-risk operations requiring a Standard Scenario (STS) authorization or a Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC). The Certified Category is for high-risk operations comparable to manned aviation.

For the vast majority of recreational and commercial drone pilots, the Open Category certificates — A1/A3 and A2 — are all you need. These certificates are issued by your national aviation authority after passing the required theoretical examinations, and they are valid across the entire EU.

A1/A3 vs A2 Certificates

Basic Certificate

A1/A3 Certificate

The entry-level EU drone certificate. Covers flying lightweight drones (C0/C1, under 250g-900g) near people in subcategory A1, and heavier drones far from people in subcategory A3. Requires an online multiple-choice exam with 40 questions (75% pass mark). No practical test needed. Valid for 5 years. This is the starting point for every EU drone pilot.

Advanced Certificate

A2 Certificate

The advanced Open Category certificate. Allows flying C2 class drones (up to 4kg) closer to uninvolved people — minimum 30m distance, or 5m in low-speed mode. Requires the A1/A3 certificate as a prerequisite, plus practical self-training and a separate proctored theory exam. Ideal for professional pilots who need to operate near populated areas. Also valid for 5 years.

Both certificates are issued as PDF documents by your national aviation authority. The certificate includes your full name, registration number, the categories you are qualified for, the issue date, and the expiration date. Most certificates also include a QR code that links to the official verification database maintained by your national authority.

Convert Your EASA Certificate to a Wallet Pass

Your EASA drone certificate is an important document, but carrying a PDF or printed copy every time you fly is impractical. With drone-pass.com, you can convert your certificate into a native wallet pass that lives right alongside your boarding passes and payment cards.

The conversion process is simple and takes less than a minute:

  • Upload your certificate PDF — our system scans the QR code to verify it is a genuine EASA certificate
  • Pay €2.99 once — secure payment via Stripe, no subscription or recurring charges
  • AI extraction — Claude AI reads your certificate and extracts your name, registration number, categories, and expiration date with high accuracy
  • Instant pass generation — your Apple Wallet .pkpass file is created and digitally signed in seconds
  • Download or email — get your pass instantly via download or have it sent to your iPhone via email

Your digital pass includes all the essential information from your EASA certificate: your name, registration number, certificate categories (A1/A3, A2), issuing authority, and expiration date. A QR code on the pass links directly to the official verification page, so authorities can confirm your credentials on the spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of EASA drone certificates exist?
EASA issues several types of drone certificates under EU Regulation 2019/947. The most common are: the A1/A3 Remote Pilot Certificate of Competency (basic Open Category license for flying lightweight drones near people and heavier drones away from people), the A2 Certificate of Remote Pilot Competency (advanced Open Category license for flying medium drones closer to people), and STS certificates for the Specific Category (for higher-risk operations requiring additional authorization). Most recreational and commercial drone pilots start with the A1/A3 certificate.
How long is an EASA drone certificate valid?
EASA drone certificates in the Open Category (A1/A3 and A2) are valid for 5 years from the date of issue. Before your certificate expires, you need to complete a refresher training course and pass a renewal exam through your national aviation authority. The renewal process is simpler than the initial certification — it typically involves a shorter online exam to confirm your knowledge is up to date. Your certificate will show both the issue date and the expiration date.
Is the EASA drone certificate valid in all EU countries?
Yes. EASA drone certificates issued by any EU member state are mutually recognized across the entire European Union, plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. This means if you obtain your A1/A3 or A2 certificate in Germany through the LBA, you can legally fly in France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, and all other participating countries without obtaining a separate license. However, you must still comply with local airspace rules and geographic zones, which can vary by country.
What is the difference between A1/A3 and A2 EASA certificates?
The A1/A3 is the basic certificate covering two subcategories: A1 allows flying lightweight drones (under 250g or C0/C1 class) near or over uninvolved people, while A3 covers heavier drones flown far from people. The A2 certificate is a more advanced qualification that permits flying medium-weight drones (C2 class, up to 4kg) closer to uninvolved people, with minimum distances of 30m (or 5m in low-speed mode). To obtain A2, you must first hold A1/A3, complete practical self-training, and pass a separate proctored theory exam.
Can I convert my EASA drone certificate to a digital wallet pass?
Absolutely. With drone-pass.com, you can convert any EASA drone certificate (A1/A3 or A2) from PDF into a digital Apple Wallet or Google Wallet pass. Simply upload your certificate PDF, and our system extracts your name, registration number, categories, and expiration date using AI. After a one-time payment of €2.99, your digital pass is generated instantly — complete with a QR code for verification. You can download it directly or have it emailed to your phone.

Got Your EASA Certificate? Go Digital.

Upload your EASA drone certificate PDF and get your digital wallet pass in seconds. Works with A1/A3 and A2 certificates from any EU member state.

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